European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Lumbar disc degeneration may be associated with intensity of neovascularization in disc herniations. Our study was designed to evaluate how much the severity of histodegeneration is related to the development of neovascularization and to the level of pleiotrophin in the herniated lumbar discs. ⋯ Severe histodegeneration of the lumbar disc herniations is associated with enhanced neovascularization and potentially also spontaneous regression of the herniated tissue.
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Spondylolisthesis surgical treatment is often difficult with higher degree of slip and related techniques still debated. We have taken into consideration double thread recoil Schanz screws. This system should allow the best reduction of the slip, treating only the affected vertebrae. ⋯ Fixation system with Schanz screws seems to be effective in reducing the slip, treating only the affected level, in high grade of spondylolisthesis.
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To study family history in relation to curve severity, gender, age at diagnosis and treatment in idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Larger curve sizes were found in patients with a family history of scoliosis than in the ones without. No relation between family history and gender or between family history and age at onset of idiopathic scoliosis was found. Although the presence of a family history of scoliosis may not be a strong prognostic risk factor, it indicates that these patients are at higher risk of developing a more severe curve.
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Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a tridimensional deformity characterized by coronal and sagittal profiles changes. We present a series of 62 patients affected by AIS and treated by thoracic Universal Clamps and transpedicular lumbar screws hybrid system. ⋯ This case-series study showed the efficacy and safety of Universal Clamp hybrid system in correcting coronal deformity and restoring physiological thoracic kyphosis in patients affected by AIS.
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Obesity and osteoporosis share many features and recent studies have identified many similarities suggesting common pathophysiological mechanisms. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of non-traumatic fractures despite bone mineral density (BMD) being normal or even increased. ⋯ The objective of this study was to assess in obese patients levels of 25OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, serum and urinary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), BMD, and SDI. 87.5 % of the obese subjects present nontraumatic vertebral fractures and reduced bone quality as measured by SDI.